Slings

What are the hazards of using slings?

Serious injuries or death can result from the improper use of slings, using worn or damaged slings, riding slings along with walking under loads that may falter during a lift.    

What can I do to protect myself and others?

Do not walk or work under a suspended load and stay clear of the path of travel of a suspended load. Do not ride slings. Remove improperly repaired or reconditioned slings and attachments or slings and attachments from service. Only use proper sling or attachments for the type of load to be lifted and the environment in which it is being lifted.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

Example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

Training and Outreach Services

The materials handling (General Industry) and struck by/caught between presentations are available for workplaces to assist in training their staff. The presentation should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time.

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.

Further, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

More information related to slings can be found on the materials handling and storage, hoists, crawler locomotive and truck cranes, overhead and gantry cranes and cranes and derricks safety and health topic pages.

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards for slings in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.184 - slings

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

• 29 CFR 1915.112 - ropes, chains and slings

Maritime, Marine Terminals

• 29 CFR 1917.13 - slinging

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.251 - rigging equipment for material handling

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for standards related to construction.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for for standards related to general industry.
• Industry Guide 53 – OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to shipyard employment.
• Industry Guide 54 - OSHA Marine Terminal Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for standards related to marine terminals.

Compliance Documents

• CPL 02-01-014 - Alloy Steel Chain Slings Proof Testing, provides guidelines for uniform enforcement of 29 CFR 1910.184(e)(4) as it pertains to proof testing of alloy steel chain slings, fittings, coupling links, and other component parts. 

Technical Assistance

• Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.